Jamie Johnson (TV series)

Jamie Johnson
Promotional cover for series 1
Genre	Children's drama
Created by	Dan Freedman
Based on	Jamie Johnson by Dan Freedman
Written by	Shaun Duggan
Directed by	Joe Talbot
Starring	Louis Dunn Jonnie Kimmins Patrick Ward Emma Stansfield Tim Dantay
Composer	Rob Manning
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of seasons	6
No. of episodes	63 (+ 2 special episodes) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer	Sue Nott
Producer	Sam Talbot
Production locations	Port Talbot, Wales, Nottingham, England
Running time	27-28 minutes
Production company	Short Form Film
Release
Original network	CBBC
Original release	8 June 2016 (2016-06-08) – present
External links
Official Website
Production website

Jamie Johnson is a British children's drama television show first broadcast on CBBC on 8 June 2016.^[1] The series follows the self-titled character, portrayed by Louis Dunn, as he negotiates secondary school and issues at home, along with being a talented footballer.

The show features several cameo appearances from footballers past and present, including Gary Lineker, Steph Houghton, Raheem Sterling, Luis Suarez and Vincent Kompany.

Synopsis[]

Jamie Johnson is a seriously gifted footballer capable of going all the way. But after his dad walks out on them, Jamie and his mother are forced to move in with Jamie's grandfather, meaning Jamie has to start at a new school. He makes friends with Jack and Boggy, but makes an enemy of Dillon and struggles to impress football coach, Mr Hansard.

The series has covered various everyday topics, such as bullying, sexism, cheating, blackmail, relationships, diabetes, homelessness, multiple sclerosis, racism, crime and homophobia.

The plot is very loosely based on the storyline in the book series of the same name, written author by Dan Freedman, using some of the characters in the books.

Cast and characters[]

Character	Played by	Series
		1	2	3	4	5	6
Jamie Johnson	Louis Dunn	Main
Jacqueline "Jack" Marshall	Olivia Lava	Main
	Lenna Gunning Williams		Main		Recurring		Only in 1 episode
Hugo "Boggy" Bogson	Jonnie Kimmins	Main
Dillon Simmonds	Patrick Ward	Main					In 1 episode
Harry Hansard	Theo Chapman	Main
Karen Johnson	Emma Stansfield	Main
Mike Johnson	Tim Dantay	Main
Mr. Hansard	Brian Bovell	Main
Ian Reacher	Santiago Mosquera	Main
	William Fox		Recurring
Indira Cave	Millie Gibson		Main
Ms. R Savage	Lucy Speed		Main
Nancy	Ellie Daley		Recurring	Main	Only in 1 episode
Jethro Stevenson	Miles Wallace		Recurring	Main		Recurring
Zoe Moore	Maddie Murchinson			Main
Walter "Wozza" Worthington	Jermaine Johnson			Main	Recurring		Only in 1 episode
Sienna Jones	Ellie Botterill				Main
Alba Osborne	Elena Cole				Main
Eric Atlee	Morgan Hudson				Main
Freddie Seo	Keaton Edmund				Main
Molly Sinkamba	Thaniya Moore				Main
Duncan Jones	Glen Wallace				Main	Recurring
Ruby Osborne	Zoe Hall				Main
Liam Simmonds	Haydn Craven				Recurring	Main
Jake	Louie Theaker						Main
Kasia	Ellie Malone						Main
Tayo	Jarmaine Muganiwa						Main
Jess Christie	Natali McCleary						Main
Sam	Jessica McHale						Main
Bex	Gracie Grosvenor						Main

Special guest appearances[]

Episodes[]

Series		Episodes		Originally aired
				First aired	Last aired
	1	3		8 June 2016 (2016-06-08)	8 June 2016 (2016-06-08)
	2	10		5 April 2017 (2017-04-05)	7 June 2017 (2017-06-07)
	3	10		5 April 2018 (2018-04-05)	7 June 2018 (2018-06-07)
	4	14		11 April 2019 (2019-04-11)	29 June 2019 (2019-06-29)
	5	14		7 May 2020 (2020-05-07)	30 July 2020 (2020-07-30)
	6	13		25 October 2021 (2021-10-25)	6 December 2021 (2021-12-06)

Series 1 (2016)[]

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	1	"Debut"	Joe Talbot	Shaun Duggan	8 June 2016 (2016-06-08)
Jamie has to start at a new school mid-term. With his amazing football talent, Jamie should have no problem fitting in with the cool kids. But new friend, Jack, is disgusted when she witnesses Jamie being cruel to the geeky Boggy. Jamie eventually makes amends, but in the process makes a serious enemy in school bully Dillon. When the horrified Jamie witnesses his mother getting close to a work colleague, it makes him all the more determined to track down his dad.
2	2	"Own Goal"	Joe Talbot	Shaun Duggan	8 June 2016 (2016-06-08)
Jamie is determined to find his dad, but with his mum refusing to discuss it with him, where does he even begin? Jamie is about to give up when Boggy comes up with a clever plan using a bit of lateral thinking. Jack is horrified when a distracted and frustrated Jamie messes up his chances of making the school football team, but could Jamie’s bad behaviour present her with a real opportunity? When Jamie is given an unexpected lead he takes drastic measures to hunt down his dad - with devastating consequences.
3	3	"Decider"	Joe Talbot	Sally Rosser	8 June 2016 (2016-06-08)
Reeling from the revelation that his dad has another family, Jamie eventually finds his way home to face the music and is forced to admit to Mike that he stole his money. Jack and Boggy try to help Jamie deal with Hansard, while Jack persuades Jamie that an apology would help and Boggy uses his guile to cement Jamie’s second chance. When the truth comes out about why his dad really left, Jamie lashes out, threatening to ruin everything all over again. But a selfless act on the pitch shows Hansard what Jamie is really made of and out of it comes a prize beyond Jamie’s wildest dreams.

Series 2 (2017)[]

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
4	1	"Hero to Zero"	Joe Talbot	Shaun Duggan	5 April 2017 (2017-04-05)
Jamie is on a high - the video of him scoring against Tibbs has gone viral and he is the hero of Kingsmount. But all this attention goes to Jamie’s head when he forces the team to let him take a penalty and then misses it when he dares to do a Panenka. To make matters worse, it is Harry that eventually secures Kingsmount the match. After the game, Harry winds him up and Jamie quickly turns it into a fight.
5	2	"Anger Management"	Joe Talbot	Shaun Duggan	12 April 2017 (2017-04-12)
Mindful of his warning, Jamie does all he can to keep a lid on his temper. Unfortunately for Jamie, he decides going to the boxing gym instead of staying in school is the way to do it and in the process misses a surprise visit from his football hero, Theo Baines. Hansard is quick to capitalise on Jamie’s misery and subtly picks on him. It is too much for Mike, who loses his temper with Hansard. The two have clearly got history and Jamie is determined to find out what it is.
6	3	"The Scout"	Joe Talbot	Sally Rosser	19 April 2017 (2017-04-19)
When Dillon and Harry discover that it was Mike who ended Hansard’s career with a horror tackle, they do everything they can to wind Jamie up during a cup match. There is a Hawkstone scout at the game - will Jamie be able to keep his hot temper in check, or will Dillon get the nod ahead of him?
7	4	"Trial and Error"	Joe Talbot	Ben Tagoe	26 April 2017 (2017-04-26)
It is Dillon’s first try-out at Hawkstone Academy and Jack is sent along to cover it for the school blog. Jack cannot stand seeing Dillon taking Jamie’s place and sets out to try and persuade the Hawkstone manager to give Jamie a chance. Dillon does well, but is bullied by star player Jethro. Meanwhile, Jamie struggles to come to terms with the consequences of his actions and it is only when Mike gives him his beloved Book of Legends that Jamie finds the final piece of advice he needs.
8	5	"The No-Boggy"	Julian Kemp	Sally Rosser	3 May 2017 (2017-05-03)
It is Sports Personality of the Year time at Kingsmount and captain Dillon is confident of winning. Boggy finally has a date with online buddy, Nancy, and enlists Indira’s help to prepare. The date does not go as planned and Boggy feels humiliated, so his friends step in. The SPOTY trophy is in their sights, but who will eventually triumph?
9	6	"Watch Me Fly"	Joe Talbot	Diane Whitley	10 May 2017 (2017-05-10)
It is Jamie’s first match back after his ban. He is determined to keep focused, but suddenly he seems to have distractions from all sides - not least the arrival of the son of Hawkstone’s latest international signing. But just as things are going well at home too - with him finally getting on with his mother’s boyfriend, Jeremy - there’s a knock at the door.
10	7	"Dad Trouble"	Julian Kemp	Diane Whitley	17 May 2017 (2017-05-17)
Jamie’s dad, Ian, pays a surprise visit and promises to get him a trial at Hawkstone Academy. Jamie is desperate to ask about his other family, but Ian is not opening up. Dillon continues to act strangely and something clearly is not right, but Jack, Boggy and Jamie can’t work out what.
11	8	"They Think It's All Over"	Julian Kemp	Shaun Duggan	24 May 2017 (2017-05-24)
Jack is desperate to play in midfield, but has to work twice as hard as anyone else to prove her worth to Hansard and is furious when it seems that Hansard is playing an international football’s son, Michel Bernard, ahead of her. Jack vents her frustration at the team, but could this knock to morale cost them the semi-final? And what is Hawkstone Academy bully Jethro doing in the crowd?
12	9	"Second Chances"	Julian Kemp	Shaun Duggan	31 May 2017 (2017-05-31)
Reeling from their semi-final defeat, the team are rallied when it seems Boggy might have unearthed some good news. Jack is still not being honest with Jamie about spending time with Michel. When he sees them together at a Hawkstone match, he feels betrayed - but Michel’s days at Kingsmount may be numbered. Jethro threatens Dillon; does he have no choice but to betray his teammates?
13	10	"End Game"	Joe Talbot	Ben Tagoe	7 June 2017 (2017-06-07)
Kingsmount are through to the cup final at St. George’s Park, the home of the England National Team and the pressure is immense. Jamie is desperate to be scouted. Jethro puts more pressure on Dillon - will he go against his teammates? Will Hansard be forced to finally listen to Jack’s team tactics? And will Jamie finally be able to put his penalty-kick demons to rest?

Series 3 (2018)[]

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
14	1	"Dream Academy"	Joe Talbot	Shaun Duggan	5 April 2018 (2018-04-05)
When Jamie’s trial with Foxborough Academy falls at the same time Kingsmount are due to defend the school cup, he convinces himself he can do both. But when he fails to make it to the Kingsmount game before kick-off, Hansard is forced to change his game plan. Has Jamie’s ego just cost everyone dearly?
15	2	"Get Up 8"	Joe Talbot	Stephen Brady	12 April 2018 (2018-04-12)
With the school football team on hold for a year, Jack decides to keep her football dreams alive by starting her own grassroots team. But with Dillon and Jethro seemingly determined to start World War III, and Hansard refusing to be a coach alongside Mike, Jack finds it harder than she thought.
16	3	"The Scorpion"	Joe Talbot	Stephen Brady	19 April 2018 (2018-04-19)
Boggy decides it is time for him to move on from just being the team mascot and sets out as chief scout for Jack’s new team. First mission: find a new goalie so Jack can play outfield. But when it becomes clear his chosen candidate has behaviour issues, Hansard needs some convincing.
17	4	"Heart Breaker"	Joe Talbot	Diane Whitley	26 April 2018 (2018-04-26)
Dillon has got it all - a place at a top football academy, the clothes, the kudos, the girls - and it is all thanks to his talent with a football. But will he learn that there is more to being an academy player than scoring goals?
18	5	"Stiff Competition"	Joe Talbot	Shaun Duggan	3 May 2018 (2018-05-03)
Phoenix need a kit if they are to be taken seriously on the pitch. But when Jack organises a fundraiser, Zoe will stop at nothing to make sure she is the one to come out on top.
19	6	"The Wrong Path"	Julian Kemp	Shaun Duggan	10 May 2018 (2018-05-10)
Indira is quick to spread gossip about Jamie’s dad, but when Boggy’s investigations throw doubt on Indira’s assumptions, she is left with a surprising dilemma. Has she got what it takes to be a true friend?
20	7	"Going Bad"	Julian Kemp	Diane Whitley	17 May 2018 (2018-05-17)
Things go from bad to worse as Jamie turns his back on his friends to hang out with Jethro. Even Jack gets the cold shoulder as she sets off to play with England’s Lionesses. Could Boggy be right that Jamie’s actions are a deliberate ploy to get himself kicked out of Foxborough?
21	8	"Out of the Game"	Julian Kemp	Ben Tagoe	24 May 2018 (2018-05-24)
Jamie has had enough of football. But Mike is determined not to give up on him and thinks playing for Phoenix is the key - if only Jamie can be persuaded to play.
22	9	"Judgement Day"	Julian Kemp	Ben Tagoe	31 May 2018 (2018-05-31)
Jack and Zoe go head to head for a place at Archfield Women’s Academy, whilst Jamie helps Boggy get Phoenix’s sponsor back on board. But when the sponsor makes it clear they are only interested if he is in, Jamie makes a promise he might regret.
23	10	"End of the Line"	Julian Kemp	Shaun Duggan	7 June 2018 (2018-06-07)
It is time for Jamie to say goodbye to Jack and decide whether he is signing for Premier League Foxborough or staying with grassroots club Phoenix. Jamie knows where his heart lies, but is he ready for either decision?

Series 4 (2019)[]

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
24	1	"Field of Dreams"	Julian Kemp	Shaun Duggan	11 April 2019 (2019-04-11)
New pitch, new coach, new rivals. No Jack. Jamie is haunted by Jack’s absence from his life, but determined to make the best of Phoenix’s new circumstances. But although playing in a real stadium at Goodfield Park, home of non-league club Northport Rovers, sounds really cool, Jamie’s less impressed by the threadbare playing surface and their rundown training pitches.
25	2	"Hidden Talents"	Julian Kemp	Shaun Duggan	18 April 2019 (2019-04-18)
Jamie proves himself as captain, but at what cost? He is determined to prove that he has what it takes to lead the Phoenix under-14s to the Gothia Cup. He sets out to impress Molly, but he goes about it in completely the wrong way, despite a trust exercise which Molly makes the team do, in training he once again plays selfishly, which alienates his teammates. Then Wozza turns up late and announces that he is quitting the team. Jamie lays into him. This leads Molly to give Jamie a major dressing down. Being captain is not just about what you do on the pitch, it is everything else off the pitch as well, respecting your teammates and setting an example.
26	3	"Catch"	Julian Kemp	Diane Whitley	25 April 2019 (2019-04-25)
Boggy leads the search for a new U14 goalkeeper, but neglects girlfriend, Nancy, while Alba helps Mike motivate the rest of the misbehaving U12s.
27	4	"Some You Win"	Julian Kemp	Andrew Burrell	2 May 2019 (2019-05-02)
It’s the U14s’ first big match of the season, and captain Jamie is determined to win. But his coach Molly has different priorities, which set them on a collision course.
28	5	"Son and Heir"	Joe Talbot	Shaun Duggan	9 May 2019 (2019-05-09)
Under their father’s influence, Dillon and Liam seek to assert themselves in very different ways. But who will stand up for what’s right when push comes to shove?
29	6	"A Friend in Need"	Joe Talbot	Mark Illis	16 May 2019 (2019-05-16)
Just as Zoe rises heroically to the challenge she’s been set a bombshell from her mother threatens to ruin everything. Will stubborn Zoe allow her friends to help her in time?
30	7	"The Anniversary"	Joe Talbot	Diane Whitley	23 May 2019 (2019-05-23)
Troubled Eric says that he can’t play in the U12s’ next game, but won’t tell coach Molly why. Can she help him to open up about what’s bothering him and get him to play?
31	8	"Matchmaking"	Julian Kemp	Andrew Burrell	30 May 2019 (2019-05-30)
When Jamie’s dad is forced to move back into the family home, Jamie decides to play cupid. But will his plan work? And who is the real Dillon Simmonds?
32	9	"Pressure Point"	Joe Talbot	Diane Whitley	6 June 2019 (2019-06-06)
Only one team can go to Sweden, but will Dillon be able to hold it together as his dad piles on the pressure? Or will it take Jamie’s skills to keep the U14s’ dream alive?
33	10	"The Lost Boys"	Joe Talbot	Andrew Burrell	13 June 2019 (2019-06-13)
Dillon is adamant he is not going to Sweden, but can Jamie persuade him to change his mind? And what will the team make of Duncan’s last-minute addition.
34	11	"Phoenix Reunited"	Joe Talbot & Julian Kemp	Shaun Duggan	20 June 2019 (2019-06-20)
Phoenix arrive at the Gothia Cup. After an eventful opening ceremony, they win their first match - but will the tensions simmering below the surface ruin everything?
35	12	"Game of Two Halves"	Joe Talbot	Shaun Duggan	27 June 2019 (2019-06-27)
Jamie realises winning the Gothia Cup isn’t going to bring Jack back. Boggy discovers Duncan has secret plans for Jamie’s future - but what are they and what can he do about them?
36	13	"Fair Play"	Joe Talbot & Julian Kemp	Shaun Duggan	27 June 2019 (2019-06-27)
Boggy forces Duncan to come clean as Phoenix play well and make it through to the semi-finals. But when the referee makes a bad decision, Jamie is left with a huge moral dilemma.

The Real Gothia Cup (2019)[]

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Original air date
37	14	"The Real Gothia Cup"	Sam Talbot	29 June 2019 (2019-06-29)
Louis Dunn, Lenna Gunning Williams, Patrick Ward, Maddie Murchinson, Jermaine Johnson and Ellie Botterill tell the true story of their trip to Sweden, where they played for real in the world's biggest youth football tournament, the Gothia Cup.

Series 5 (2020)[]

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
38	1	"Game Changer"	Joe Talbot	Shaun Duggan	7 May 2020 (2020-05-07)
Phoenix FC’s incredible cup run leads to a semi-final clash with Hawkstone Academy. Jamie dreams of being scouted, but will Duncan’s secret come out and change everything?
39	2	"Never Give Up"	Joe Talbot	Jaden Clark	14 May 2020 (2020-05-14)
Jamie and Boggy set out to solve the mystery surrounding Duncan and Hawkstone. Meanwhile, Alba gets serious about Phoenix’s next league match - but what about Eric and Freddie?
40	3	"New Signing"	Joe Talbot	Shaun Duggan	21 May 2020 (2020-05-21)
Jamie is poised to sign for Hawkstone United if he passes his medical and his interview with Howard Royle goes smoothly. What could possibly go wrong?
41	4	"Visiting Hours"	Sam Talbot	Shaun Duggan	28 May 2020 (2020-05-28)
Boggy visits Jamie in hospital and tries to cheer him up after his accident. They reflect on the events that led Jamie to this point, before another old friend comes to visit.
42	5	"Star Player"	Joe Talbot	Jaden Clark	4 June 2020 (2020-06-04)
New arrival Elliot makes waves at Phoenix and leaves Alba fuming. Can she control her temper and lead Phoenix to a much-needed win? Elsewhere, Duncan tries to make amends.
43	6	"Why Always Me?"	Julian Kemp	Mark Illis	11 June 2020 (2020-06-11)
New girl Kat joins the Phoenix U16s, but tensions soon mount between her and Zoe, while Liam rejoins the U14s, claiming he has changed - but has he really?
44	7	"Cup Final Shock"	Joe Talbot	Shaun Duggan	18 June 2020 (2020-06-18)
Can Dillon overcome his demons and lead Phoenix to victory in the cup final? Can Zoe and Kat settle their differences and get scouted? Can Boggy find a way to make it up to Jamie?
45	8	"Outside the Box"	Joe Talbot	Shaun Duggan	25 June 2020 (2020-06-25)
Dillon and Elliot meet to discuss what happened after the cup final. Dillon is worried about what will happen if anyone else finds out, especially his dad.
46	9	"Pixel Player"	Julian Kemp	Joe Williams	2 July 2020 (2020-07-02)
Jamie rises up the rankings as a football gamer and faces off against a mystery opponent. Meanwhile, Freddie’s plans for a fun day out are scuppered when Eric brings along a new friend.
47	10	"Equaliser"	Julian Kemp	Diane Whitley	9 July 2020 (2020-07-09)
Zoe plans a special all-girls match to show the Hawkstone coach that there are talented female footballers in the area - but can she finally tell Kat the truth?
48	11	"Results Day"	Julian Kemp	Alison Hume	16 July 2020 (2020-07-16)
Alba heaps pressure on Boggy to get his tactics right for the U13s’ crucial relegation decider. Eric and Freddie’s rivalry reaches fever pitch, egged on by Liam.
49	12	"Control Halt and Delete"	Julian Kemp	Joe Williams	23 July 2020 (2020-07-23)
Jamie goes to a football gaming tournament, risking his future with Hawkstone but hoping to unmask his mystery opponent. Meanwhile, can the U13s settle their differences?
50	13	"Back To Reality"	Julian Kemp	Shaun Duggan	30 July 2020 (2020-07-30)
With the gaming final looming, Jamie faces a huge choice: does he want to be a footballer or a football gamer? And can Dillon reveal his secret to the others?

Into E-Sports special (2020)[]

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Original air date
S02	S02	"Into E-Sports"	Sam Talbot	5 October 2020 (2020-10-05)
The cast of the series explore the world of online gaming, meeting some of the world's top virtual football professionals, while Louis Dunn and Patrick Ward play an epic match to settle the ultimate question of who the best virtual football player on the show is.

Series 6 (2021)[]

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Original air date
51	1	"Fresh Blood"	25 October 2021 (2021-10-25)
It’s a new season at Phoenix and Alba has her heart set on winning a trophy. But with her team in disarray and Liam out to get her, it’s not going to be easy.
52	2	"Trials and Tribulations"	26 October 2021 (2021-10-26)
There’s a big turnout for trials at Phoenix, including a dazzling female midfielder and a keeper with a secret. Sparks fly as Liam and Alba clash over their preferred candidates.
53	3	"The Comeback Kid"	1 November 2021 (2021-11-01)
As a crucial cup match approaches, Jake dreams of being the next Jamie Johnson. However, when the opportunity arises, will he choose to be a hero or a villain?
54	4	"100% Committment"	2 November 2021 (2021-11-02)
When a surprise new coach shakes things up at Phoenix, the players strive to impress - but has Alba taken her eye off the ball?
55	5	"Claim to Fame"	8 November 2021 (2021-11-08)
As he goes solo, Freddie’s quest for online views exposes him to the negative side of the internet. Meanwhile, one of Jake’s lies finally catches up with him.
56	6	"Friends in Need"	9 November 2021 (2021-11-09)
Amid rumours he is quitting Phoenix, Freddie meets an old friend before a distressing incident shakes him to his core. Meanwhile, Alba uncovers a shocking secret about Jess.
57	7	"The Lion's Den"	15 November 2021 (2021-11-15)
Freddie seeks redemption as he returns to Phoenix, and an appalling incident in their quarter-final against the Seagate Lions changes everything.
58	8	"The Right Thing"	15 November 2021 (2021-11-15)
After the shocking incident at Seagate, the Phoenix players face the biggest decision of their season, knowing it will have huge consequences - what will they do?
59	9	"Nemesis"	22 November 2021 (2021-11-22)
Exciting news from Duncan makes the Phoenix players look to the future, but when Liam's position is threatened, he resorts to desperate measures - how will Alba react?
60	10	"Sucker Punch"	23 November 2021 (2021-11-23)
Alba must live with the consequences of her actions as Liam threatens to reveal what she did, while Mike receives some devastating news.
61	11	"Secrets and Lies"	29 November 2021 (2021-11-29)
Alba and Freddie are determined to make the anti-racism fundraiser a success, but gatecrashers threaten to ruin everything.
62	12	"Danger Zone"	30 November 2021 (2021-11-30)
Liam’s first day of training with the Seagate Lions produces some surprises. The Phoenix players plot their revenge, but it all comes down to Freddie.
63	13	"Revelations"	6 December 2021 (2021-12-06)
Phoenix play the Seagate Lions in the ultimate grudge match, leading to shockwaves both on and off the pitch.

Gothia Cup[]

For the fourth series, the team competed in the Gothia Cup, an international youth football tournament, which has featured several footballers, including Alan Shearer, Andrea Pirlo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.^[2] Matches filmed for the show were mostly real contests, with the actors from the show competing in the tournament. Phoenix FC won six matches in four days, scored 25 goals, conceded just seven, and reached the quarter-finals out of 195 teams, with a squad of just twelve.^[3][4][5] The team arrived in Sweden having never played a competitive game before and having never previously met some of the cast.^[6][4][5]

Phoenix FC's run at the tournament was documented in the series four episode The Real Gothia Cup, with Louis Dunn, Lenna Gunning Williams, Patrick Ward, Maddie Murchinson, Jermaine Johnson and Ellie Botterill sharing their memories of the fairytale run.^[4]

Production[]

Cast members were hired for places on the team from both acting and local schools.^[7] Many episodes of the series feature cameos from current and former professional footballers specifically for the show, due to the series being produced by the BBC.^[6] Since series four, the production has taken place in Wales.

Conception[]

The plot is loosely based on the series of books by Dan Freedman about a schoolboy footballer experiencing family issues and playing for the school team.^[8] In 2011, the book Born to Play was published as a prequel to the series, establishing the title character, Jamie Johnson, and his estranged parents.^[8][9]

References[]

External links[]

• Jamie Johnson at BBC Online
• Official website
• Jamie Johnson at IMDb